When to Call Your Doctor
People with CLL can have temporarily enlarged lymph nodes for reasons other than disease progression. “For example, if someone has an ongoing or recent upper respiratory infection, then they may have some enlarged lymph nodes in the neck region, which will eventually subside after the infection resolves,” says Yang.
But you should check the size of your lymph nodes regularly and tell your doctor if you notice changes, especially sudden changes.
Dr. Sibley says not to wait until your next appointment if you have:
- Lymph nodes that are growing rapidly
- Night sweats
- Disabling fatigue
- Persistent and unexplained weight loss
- Fevers
- Bruising or abnormal bleeding
- Shortness of breath
- Chest discomfort
“A lymph node that suddenly becomes very hard, fixed in place, and rapidly enlarging, especially associated with high fevers, drenching night sweats, or marked weight loss, can signal transformation into a more aggressive lymphoma called Richter’s transformation,” says Alderuccio. “This should be evaluated urgently.”
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